Roper is still the guy

Before practice Sunday, Oregon coach Mike Bellotti was asked the question he will likely get every day that a microphone points at him - until the kickoff of the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31: Who will start at quarterback?

"(Justin) Roper's ahead right now, or taking more reps with the 1s, but they're both getting almost equal opportunities,'' Bellotti said of Roper and Cody Kempt, the two redshirt freshmen who might start against South Florida.

"I'd say they're pretty close - what we're looking for is consistency,'' Bellotti said, adding that eliminating the negative is more important that accentuating the positive. "That's the real key, avoiding negative plays, and both are improving in that regard.''

Bellotti said the Ducks will be trying to simulate game speed and game situations "with the intent of protecting the football'' as well as they possibly can, trying to get their quarterbacks ready for a pretty athletic Bulls defense.

Health report: The flu bug is making the rounds. Among Sunday's victims were freshman defensive backs Talmadge Jackson and Antony Gildon.

Linebacker Casey Matthews (shoulder) is "50/50,'' according to Bellotti, and running back Jonathan Stewart did not practice but is expected to return Wednesday.